About The Caribou Association

C-7A Caribou Association is a war
veterans' association tax exempt under the provisions of IRC 501(c)(19)
and consisting of USAF and ex-USAF
personnel who had the distinct honor of being assigned in one way or another to duty with
the Air Force C-7ACaribou aircraft. We
have no animosity whatever toward our Army Caribou brethren, but this organization exists
for the Air Force chapter in the Caribou's history.

The organization can be traced all the way back to 1985, when John
Davis, an expatriate of the 457th TCS, 1967, had a heart
attack. In John's own words:

"In 1985 I had a heart attack and
while I was pondering my mortality, I thought I would like to get the
eight Pilots that were in my hooch in 1967 back together one more time
before some of us were gone.

I started with Bill
Componovo, since he and I had maintained contact over the years and I
asked him for any orders he might have to get the exact spelling of names.
We found Charlie Shipp and he had some more orders and contacts.
Over the next 5 years I found all of the guys in the hooch and then some.
Guys like TJ Haas, Dr. Kugler (Bandaide 3), and Nick etc., etc. I
sent out a letter to all of them asking them to come to Nashville on a
weekend in August 1990."

The original seed planted by John Davis in 1985
sprouted and grew to encompass the entire 483th TCW — and it
became to be known as THE CARIBOU ASSOCIATION.It was John's contemplation of his mortality after his 1985 heart
attack, driven by his desire to just get the eight guys together from his
1967 457th TCS hooch before any of them made their final STOL
landing (as in 6 feet under) that gave birth to our outfit.John, assisted by Bill Componovo spent the next four years locating
these eight fellow hooch mates and other members of his former 457th
TCS.In 1989, John sent
out letters to all of the people he had names on and asking them to come
to Nashville on a weekend in August 1990.

The event was pulled-off by John at Nashville. The
following people should be regarded as the charter members of what,
unknowing to them at the time, would be the Caribou Association: John
Davis,Dr. Kugler, Bill
Componovo, TJ Haas, Bill Higgins, Nick Evanish, Tom Rheem, and Charlie
Shipp.

John Davis also coordinated the second reunion that
was held at Warner Robbins, but because of job commitments his
participation has since been curtailed.

After this second reunion, Nick Evanish stepped
forward to take the reigns and expanded the reunions to include all those
who had been associated with the C-7A.Though Nick's efforts the active membership numbers grew to nearly
400 — with members from every unit of the wing in Vietnam, of the CONUS
training bases and the Reserve and Guard who flew the Bou after the war.

The organization would like to hear from anyone who had anything to do with the Caribou.
Whether pilot, flight mechanic, line mechanic, aerial port people, you are all part
of the Caribou chapter in Air Force and Vietnam War history. The aircraft is no
longer in the inventory, but this organization is dedicated to its memory and to the
memory of the men for whom it was a part of their lives.

The Association holds periodic reunions and sends out a newsletter. It survives on the donations of its members. For a
mere $10.00 per year you are entitled to claim membership and receive the
newsletter. Please check the FAQ for
for advice on how to join and other questions. If all else fails,
contact the Association Secretary
for additional information.